Obituary of Nicholas Fata

Nicholas Fata, 86, of Lyndhurst, passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Nick was born and raised in East Harlem, NY, where he resided until enlisting in the U.S. Army. He honorably served from 1957 to 1958 and again from 1961 to 1962. Nick was a proud, hardworking man. He started his career as a bank teller, then moved on to Washburn Wire Company, both in NYC. He completed his career at Driver Harris in Harrison, NJ. Upon retirement, he worked as a driver for West Hudson Hospital, transporting many people to and from their medical appointments and forging many friendships through his gift of conversation.

One fateful day at the bus stop in 1958, Nick met his beloved wife, Marie Corbo. Marie and Nick enjoyed many dates at the Copa Cabana and other NYC hotspots, where they danced the night away. They married in 1962 and moved to Lyndhurst, NJ, where they built their life together.

No one took more pride in his family than Nick. He raised two beautiful daughters who blessed him with five grandchildren. He instilled his love of sports in all of them, creating a special bond. Nothing brought Nick more joy than watching his children and, later, his grandchildren play sports. Nick also cherished family traditions. His favorite holidays were Christmas Eve and Good Friday.  It wasn’t Christmas Eve without the Feast of the Seven Fishes and it wasn’t Good Friday without a lamb cake and spinach pie.

Nick was an avid sports fan, often referred to as a walking encyclopedia of sports facts and stats. He was particularly passionate about baseball and the NY Yankees and quietly rooted for the NY Jets. He also enjoyed hockey and the NY Rangers. His garage was a display of past and present Yankee history, and he amassed a large collection of baseball cards and sports memorabilia over the years. Nick was happiest sitting in his backyard with his TV or his transistor radio, watching and listening to whatever game happened to be on.

Nick was never without a smile and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Nick was the beloved husband of Marie (Corbo) Fata for 62 years. He was the father of Cynthia and her late husband Richard Gerard Jr. of Wayne and Melissa and her husband Marc Cotugno of Livingston; loving grandfather to Erica and her husband Brad Mills, Cassandra, Christopher, Nicholas, and David; dear son of the late Frank and Anna (DiPasquale) Fata; loving brother of Frederic and his wife Gloria Fata of Lyndhurst and Carol Ann and her late husband Richard Domanico. He was loved by his many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Nazare Memorial Home, Inc., 403 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst, on Sunday, March 9, 2025, from 2–6 PM. All will gather at the funeral home on Monday, March 10, 2025, at 9 AM, followed by a funeral mass at Sacred Heart Church at 10 AM. Entombment to follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum, North Arlington. Please express condolences to Nick’s family by using our tribute wall.